UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN 68TH SESSION
STRATEGIES AND MECHANISMS TO EMPOWER WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
11 March 2024 | 12:30 – 2:00 PM | 630Second, New York
This UN Commission on the Status of Women Parallel Event convened by Set Them Free brought together a diverse group of speakers sharing compelling insights and personal experiences centered around human rights, women’s rights, peacebuilding, and activism across different regions and contexts. The overarching theme was the urgent need for systemic change, community empowerment, and the resilience of human rights defenders facing oppression and violence.
Hon. Korere Sarah Paulata, a Kenyan Member of Parliament, shared her inspiring journey from being a teacher in a patriarchal community—specifically from the Maasai community—to becoming an advocate for women’s and human rights. She emphasized the importance of having a seat at the policy-making table, highlighting her fight to introduce provisions for women with young children in parliament, such as dedicated holding rooms and travel support. Sarah also detailed her efforts to foster peace through education by establishing the school “Amani” (“peace” in Swahili) on land formerly marred by violence and massacres. She demonstrated how education can serve as a powerful tool to break cycles of ethnic violence, citing the transformation seen in her community where guns fell silent after children from rival communities began attending the same school. Hon. Korere also highlighted the grave dangers faced by human rights defenders, sharing personal experiences of threats, attacks, and even her home being targeted, alongside the tragic murders of colleagues who fought for justice. Her narrative underscored the vital importance of persistent activism despite risks, and she called for systemic reforms to better protect defenders and promote gender equality.
A second speaker, an origin of Moldova, Ludmila Malai, with extensive experience living and working in Western countries like France and Belgium, reflected on the societal expectations placed on women regarding marriage, motherhood, and societal roles. She contrasted her upbringing in a patriarchal society with her experiences abroad, where women participate more actively in political and decision-making processes. Ms. Malai provided an insightful analysis of the situation in Russia, illustrating how the regime suppresses dissent and human rights activism through violence, intimidation, and incarceration. She detailed stories of courageous Russian women—journalists and activists like Elena Milasha, Elena Costuchenko, and Eva Berkovich—who face assaults, poisonings, imprisonment, and even death for speaking out against repression. Their stories emphasized the dangerous environment for human rights advocates under authoritarian regimes, highlighting the importance of systemic change, early education, and active civic engagement. Ludmila Malai stressed that peace is a prerequisite for gender equality and development, and that the fight for democracy and human rights in Russia continues amidst severe repression.
Ruth Schowalter introduced Interplay International Sisters, a grassroots organization that uses improvisational movement, storytelling, and body-centered practices to foster healing, community, and authentic self-expression among women, including survivors of political persecution and violence. She explained how their practices—such as witnessing, following and leading, making body shapes, and creating safe spaces for storytelling—serve as tools for resilience, empowerment, and cultural exchange. Ms. Schowalter shared stories of women from diverse backgrounds, including Turkish refugees and exiles, emphasizing how creative movement and community support can help women find their voice, recover from trauma, and stand against oppression. The organization’s work exemplifies how non-verbal, embodied practices can be powerful in healing and resistance, especially for women who face systemic violence and repression.
Throughout the session, the panelists discussed strategies for advancing human rights advocacy, such as leveraging media to raise awareness, fostering early education to shift social narratives, and encouraging active citizenship to sustain democratic gains. They highlighted the importance of empowering young people as future leaders and emphasized that systemic change takes time and persistent effort. The potential impact of having a woman as UN Secretary-General was debated, with consensus that such leadership could bring a transformative perspective to global gender equality and peace initiatives.
The panel underscored the interconnectedness of peace, education, gender equality, and human rights, illustrating the resilience and courage of activists worldwide. Their stories and insights call for global solidarity, systemic reforms, and community-based approaches to create lasting change and protect those on the frontlines of human rights struggles.
SPEAKERS:
Hon. Korere Sarah Paulata, Member of Parliament, Kenta
Ludmila Malai, EU Project Manager, Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Belgium
Ruth Schowalter, Co-Founder, InterPlay Sustaining International Sisters, USA
Hafza Girdap, Executive Director, Advocates of Silenced Turkey, USA
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